LAHORE, July 29: Madar-i-Millat Mohtarma Fatima Jinnah was the main force behind the Quaid-i-Azam who had dedicated herself to keep him fit to continue his struggle for Pakistan.

This was stated by former chief justice of Pakistan Dr Nasim Hasan Shah on Tuesday. He was speaking at a meeting held by the Nazaria-i-Pakistan Foundation and Pakistan Movement Workers Trust at their auditorium to launch a book on Madar-i-Millat, written by Dr M.A. Soofi.

Dr Shah said had Mohtarma Fatima Jinnah not given up her medical practice as a dental surgeon and devoted herself for the welfare of her ailing brother after the death of his wife it was not possible for the Quaid to work hard for the Pakistan Movement.

He said that the Quaid had not cared for the opposition to his mission and continued his struggle as encouraged by his sister.

Before the partition, the Quaid had silenced his critics and opponents, declaring emphatically that Pakistan once formed would be strong enough to survive all the vicissitudes and problems. This had come true.

He said that Mohtarma Fatima Jinnah’s biggest contribution was her challenge to military dictator Ayub Khan in the presidential elections which had embarrassed him and caused him great anxiety.

She had swept the polls in the then East Pakistan and had also bagged a large number of votes of basic democrats in West Pakistan which was then electoral college for the presidential election.

Had there not been rigging, she would have won the elections. Despite the rigging she had secured 18,000 votes in East Pakistan and 20,000 votes in West Pakistan against 22,000 and 31,000 votes respectively by Ayub Khan.

He said Madar-i-Millat had infused a new spirit in the nation by throwing challenge to Ayub Khan. This was, indeed, a great service to democracy in Pakistan.

Dr Shah said that Dr Soofi had worked hard in collecting details about the biography and sayings of Madar-i-Millat for his book and suggested that her speeches should be preserved.

Punjab University’s former vice-chancellor Dr Rafiq Ahmad said that Dr Soofi’s book had so many details that it could rightly be described as encyclopaedia about Madar-i-Millat.

He said that the style of the book was simple and narrative which had made it interesting for the readers. He said that Mohtarma was a woman of great integrity, yet she lived a simple life and had served her brother well throughout his life.

Dr Rafiq said that Mohtarma Fatima Jinnah was a great social worker as she had worked hard for the rehabilitation of the refugees coming from India after the partition and for the welfare of disabled children. She also loved and followed the Islamic values.

Quoting from the book he said that Mohtarma had told the author after speaking at a public meeting at Lahore during her election campaign that she had awakened the nation. She used to say that democracy was like sea which throws all weeds and dirt on the shore through its waves.

MNA Begum Mahnaz Rafi said that Mohtarma was a great champion of democracy as was evident from her challenge to military dictator Ayub Khan when she decided to contest presidential election against him despite her old age.

The MNA said that Mohtarma also worked for the rights of women as she advocated their cause at every platform. Long before UN Human Rights Charter, Mohtarma Fatima Jinnah had raised voice against injustice against women and called for women empowerment.

She had mobilized the Muslim women of the subcontinent for taking active part in the general elections held in 1946.

Begum Surriya Khurshid, the first biographer of Mohtarma Fatima Jinnah and widow of the Quaid’s political secretary K.H. Khurshid, recalled her memories about Madar-i-Millat.

She said that if Mohtarma had not worked hard to look after for the comfort of the Quaid and his needs, it was not possible for him to continue his Pakistan Movement and formation of Pakistan would have become uncertain.

Begum Khurshid said that Mohtarma had always encouraged the Quaid in difficult moments.

Prof Dr Saadat Iqbal recalled how her father the late Dr Shujaat Ali had convinced Madar-i-Millat to rename Malik Ram Medical College for Women as Fatima Jinnah Medical college.

She also recalled how Mohtarma and the Quaid had received her and her colleagues at their Delhi residence before the partition.

The author of the book, Dr M.A. Soofi, explained how he gathered details for the book. He said that the best service to Mohtarma Fatima Jinnah would be dissemination of knowledge by opening as many educational institutions as possible.